Louisiana: Emergency quarantine for roseau cane scale

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana has ordered an emergency quarantine to try to slow the spread of a tiny invasive insect that destroys roseau cane, a plant that holds together delicate wetland soil.

Roseau cane scale has damaged more than 100,000 acres (40,400 hectares) of wetlands. It threatens the health and welfare of Louisiana’s wetlands, and possibly sorghum, sugarcane and rice industries, according to the emergency declaration.

A news release Wednesday from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry said the quarantine began Monday.

Waterfowl hunters may take quarantined cane up to one-quarter mile from its original location if it stays within the quarantine area, according to the release. And clean nursery stock may be moved within quarantined areas under a special permit issued by the department.

The quarantine covers everything south of Louisiana Highway 10 from the Mississippi state line to the intersection of Highway 171 in Vernon Parish, then south on 171 to Highway 190 in DeRidder and west on Highway 190 to the Sabine River.